By Kay Tillow
Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader, Letters, June 11, 2020
Kentuckians are fortunate to have a governor who has responded to the pandemic with intelligence and humanity. His restrictions have saved lives. Now Gov. Andy Beshear looks at the unequal impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and, with compassion, declares that all African Americans in Kentucky should have health insurance. Yes. That would be an excellent beginning.
Now, governor, say its name. The only system that will cover every African American, letting no one fall through the cracks, is a national, not-for-profit, single payer plan — an improved Medicare for All. Such a plan, as set forth by Physicians for a National Health Program, would automatically enroll everyone, make care free at the point of service, yet save us money by removing the parasitic, for-profit insurance industry from our system.
Single payer would save rural hospitals by assuring funds through global budgeting and would cover dental work, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and drugs. It would cover nursing home care, banning the impoverishment now required for eligibility.